Electric switch control means



June 23, 1936. A. DIEBOYLD 2,045,127

ELECTRIC SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed April 11. 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTOFIVY June 23, 1936. DlEBoLD 2,045,127

ELECTRIC SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed April 11, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Z-//vv:wrox 7 I i m 19% ATTORNE Jung 23, 1936.

A.-DIEBOL D ELECTRIC SWITCH CONTROL MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April11. 1931 r f m v A from Er Patented t... 23, 1936 ELECTRIC swrrcncoN'raoL minus Anton Diebold, Newark, N. J., assignor to AmericanGasaccumulator Company, Elizabeth, N. 1., a corporation of New JerseyApplication April 11, 1931, Serial No. 529,427

29 Claims.

My invention relates to electric switch control means which is adaptedfor use for various purposes but it has been designed by me primarilyfor use in the manipulation and controlling of electric switches theopening and closing of which controls the electric signal lightsemployed at crossings of highways, streets and the like to aid in thedirection and control of traflic.

The general object of the invention is to provide means of novelconstruction embodying mechanism for automatically opening and closingsuccessively the switches of a group or plurality of switches andmaintaining the same in opened or closed position during such periods oftime as may be desired and predetermined.

It also is an object of the invention to provide mechanism of thecharacter indicated which is flexible in character and which has partswhich may be so adjusted and set as to control a plurality of switchesina manner to maintain electric light signals in such order and in suchrelation to each other as may be desired and predetermined.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for thepurpose suggested having means of novel construction for effecting theadjustment of certain parts of the structure at will to vary the settingor positioning thereof with relation to other parts to thereby vary thetiming of the opening and closing of certain switches and to varythetime periods during which the said switches may be held in opened .or inclosed positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of thecharacter indicated having means of novel construction for controllingthe movements of the cam means or unit for actuating the switches toopen and to permit closing thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide means associated with theswitch mechanism and actuated by a moving part of the 'machine to causethecontinuous operation of said switch mechanism to successively openand close apluraliiy of switches for controlling a plurality of electriccircuits to effect the lighting and extinguishing in proper sequence ofa plurality of lights.

derstood and its practical advantages fully appreciated reference shouldbe had to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated apreferred form of the invention.' However, it will be understood thatthe invention may be embodied in other forms of construction than thatshown and that changes in many of the details of construction may bemade within the scope of the claims without departing from the saidinvention or the principle thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of electric switch control meansembodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal sectional plan thereof; 1

Fig. 3 is a. view in vertical sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3of Fig. 2; Figs. 4; 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively, are views invertical elevation taken on the lines M, 5-5, 6-6, I -l, 8-8, and 9--9of Fig. 2, showing fragmentary portions of the structure;

Fig. 10 is a vertical'trasverse sectionalview taken on the line l0lll ofFigs. 1 and 3;

Fig. 11 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line ll--lI of Fig. 2 showing a fragmentary portion of the structure;

'Fig. 12 is a similar view taken on the line l2 I2 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 13 is a similar view taken on the line Iii-I3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation taken fromthe inside of the frame of the machine and showing a clutch device;

Fig. 15 is a View partly in rear elevation and partly in section of thedevice, with the cover removed;

Fig. 16 is a view in section taken on the line lB-IB of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken on. the line ll.l'l of Fig.15; V

Fig. 18 is a view, diagrammatic in form, with the parts enlarged whichare shown therein and spread apart so as to indicate more clearly theircooperative relation to each other;

. Fig. 19 is a view showing a detail of the construction of one of thecams and a stop device associated therewith with the means forsupporting the same; and

Fig. 20 is a sectional view of a fragmentary portion of the structureshowing a double acting cam for actuating one of the movable, switchcontacts.

In the drawings I have shown at la plate upon which the means embodyingmy invention is mounted It is adapted to receive and .to have thestructure which is exposed is certain adjusting means which hereinafterwill be referred to and more fully described. The plate I may andusually does, when the device is in use, occupy a vertical plane. Inorder to pivotally support I the device upon any suitable support I haveprovided what may be regarded as the inner edge of the plate with spacedlugs or cars 3 having openings therein which register with each otherfor the reception of pivot pins by which the said ears are pivotallyconnected with spaced supports 4.

For the purpose of operating the switch actuating and controlling means,including cams and stop devices, I may employ any suitable power means.Preferably I employ an electric motor, indicated in general outline at8, which may be a synchronous motor or an induction motor. If the formeris used mechanical means may be employed to effect or bring about aspeeding up or a slowing down of the operation of the contact actuatingmeans. If, on the other hand, an induction motor is employed, thespeeding up or slowing down of the operation of the contact actuatingmeans may be effected by adjusting shading coils which will beassociated with such motor, all in known manner. In the construction asillustrated I have employed a synchronous motor and accordingly shalllater on herein refer to and describe the means by which a speeding upor slowing down of the operation of the contact actuating means may beeffected.

For the purpose of transmitting power from the motor to actuate theparts of the mechanism of the device I provide a small gear or pinion 9mounted on the rotor shaft ID of the motor, which pinion is in mesh witha relatively large spur gear II on the shaft I2 on which a small gear orpinion I3 is mounted which meshes with and'drives a gear I4 which inturn meshes with and drives a gear I5 which is retained in place uponone end of the shaft I6 by means of a sleeve 'II removably held in placeby means of a binding screw I8. The end portion of the shaft I6 inadjoining relation to the gear I5 is journaled in an opening formed inthe side 20 of the frame of the device, the said side being connectedwith the side I by means of connecting bars or rods 20. A grooved disc2| is secured to the shaft I6 in adjoining relation to the inner surfaceof the side 20 with which is in engagement a ball clutch deviceindicated/as a whole at 22. The said clutch device acting upon the disc2| in known manner and as indicated in Fig. 14 prevents rotation inreverse direction'of the said disc and of the shaft I6 to which it issecured. The opposite end of the shaft I6 is journaled in the oppositefront side I of the casing. A small spur gear or pinion 23 is mountedupon the shaft I6 in adjoining relation to the inner side of the plateI. It is in engagement with and drives the spur gear 24 which in turn isin engagement with and drives the spur gear 25 which is mounted upon thereduced end portion 26 of a polygonal shaft 26",

the said gear 25 being rotatable independently of the said-shaft. 1 (SeeFig. 10.) Whether the motor employed as the energy producing means foractuating and driving the gears previously referred to is of thesynchronous or induction type the rotor shaft thereof is driven at asubstantially constant speed which is continued'so long as current issupplied thereto. Usually a sixty-cycle current will be employed toenergize the motor but currents of other cycles may be employed.

If the pinion 9 is driven continuously itwill be apparent that the trainof gears connected with and operated thereby also will be. drivencontinuously and at constant speed. j

For the purpose of opening and closing a plurality of circuits I haveprovided movable contacts 21, 28, 28, 30, 3|; and 32 upon and insulatedfrom the outer swinging ends of pivoted contact carrying members 33.Each of the said contact carrying members is provided with spaceddownwardly extending ears or projections 34 which have openingstherethrough through which, extends a pivot rod or shaft 35 upomwhichthe said contact carrying members are pivoted. The opposite ends of theshaft are supported in'projecting portions 36 which are provided at theopposite ends of the crosswise extending bar 31. The portions 36 aresecured by means of fastening screws 38 to the front and rear sides Iand 23 of the frame. For the purpose of holding or tending to hold thecontact carrying members 33 downwardly or in their lowermost positionswith the contacts 21 to 32, inclusive, in contact with the stationarycontacts 33, 43, ll, l2, l3. and 44 I have provided springs ll which arecoiled about the pivot rod 35 between the cars 34 and which haveprojecting ends 48 and I1,

each of the former being in contact with the inner end of a movablecontact carrying member in adjoining relation to the pivot rod 33 asindicated at 48. The other projecting end 41 of each of the springscontacts with the stationary cross bar or plate 31 as indicated at 49.These springs are under continuous tension and tend to cause downwardpivotal movement of the movable contact carriers 33.

. The system of circuits within which the lights to be controlled arelocated is not shown but I have shown portions of the said circuits asindicated at 50. There are a plurality of conductors the end portions ofwhich are shown at 50 which end in metal terminals 5| which areconnected to and insulated from binding posts 32. Metal terminals 53also are connected to the said binding posts. The ends which projectaway from said posts are connected with relatively short conductors 5|the opposite ends of which are connected to metal terminals 55 which inturn is connected to a conductor an end portion ofwhich isshown at 60.For the purpose of conmovable switch contacts 21 to 32, inclusive, Ihave provided a cam unit associated with means for controlling themovements thereof. The cam unit comprises a plurality of cams 10 mountedin spaced relation to each other upon the polygonal shaft 26' whichshaft in the construction shown is of hexagonal shape in cross sectionin order that the said cams may be adjusted readily about the said shaftthrough angles of sixty degrees. The opposite end portions of the shaft26' are reduced and are journaled in bearing bushings H one of which isfixed in an opening in the plate I while the other is fixed in anopening provided in a bearing block 'Il' removably mounted in an openingin the said plate 20. The removal of the bearing block II facilitatesthe removal of the shaft 26' supporting the cams for actuating theswitches. Each of the cams 10 preferably is made up of two disc-likeparts or plates I2 and 13 mounted in adjoining relation to each other.Each of the parts 12 and 13 is or may be of different shape so that-byadjusting the said parts relatively to each other the shape of the camemb dying the said two parts may be changed. It will be noted thatrollers I4 provided upon the under sides of the contact carrying members33 are adapted to ride upon the edges of the cams 10. The relation ofthe rollers 1,4 to the edges of the cam discs is quite clearly shown inFig. 18 of the drawings. By adjusting the parts 12 and 13 of the camsIII with relation to each other the periods during which the movableswitch contacts may be held out of contact with the stationary contactsand the periods during which the said movable contacts may be permittedto contact with the said stationary contacts may be varied. By suchvariation a change in the periods of light and darkness of thecontrolled lights may be effected.

In the construction as illustrated I have shown discs 15 supported uponthe shaft 25' in adjoining relation with the cams '19. Said discs areprovided with hexagonal openings so that when they are placed upon thehexagonal shaft 26' they cannot turn with respect to the latter. Thesaid that the projection 8i extends in a certain direc-' tion, theprojection will extend in a direction differing from the direction ofthe former by an angle of sixty degrees, and so on throughout theremainder of the projections 19, 18, I1, and 16.

In the construction as illustrated, which is arranged to operate theswitches to produce what I regard as a four period timing operation ofthe cams, two of the projections, 16 and 79, are without utility andmight be omitted. but as the said stops are adapted to function anddohave utility in case of a construction in which a five or a six periodtiming operation of the cams is employed it is preferred to leave thesaid projections 16. 'and- 19 in place as shown. The several groups ofcam discs and discs-15 are retained in spaced relation to each other onthe shaft 26' by means of spacing sleeves 85.

The cam 10 at one end of the shaft 26' is retained in place upon thehexagonal end portion thereof by means of a retaining nut 86 while thecam and associated stop at the opposite end of in place upon the shaftby means of a fastening pin which extends through the hub and the shaft.It may be noted that the outer end of the hub is flush with the innerend of the reduced portion 26 of the said shaft 26'.

' For causing rotation of the shaft 26' with the cams and the stopprojections thereon I have provided a coiled spring which is locatedwithin the housing 89 and is coiled about the inwardly extending orprojecting portion of the hub 95 of the gear 25 previously referred to.One end of the said spring is connected to the said hub while theopposite end thereof is connected to the outer or perimetrical portionof the drum 89; The cam unit, including the cams l0, is releasably heldagainst rotation by means which hereinafter will be described'in detail.One end of the spring 95 being connected to the hub 96 of the gear 25with the opposite end thereof connected to the housing 89 and the latterbeing held against rotation, it

follows that the rotation of the gear 25 will wind when the cam unit isreleased the said spring unwinds or partially unwinds and causes quickand rapid rotative movement of the cam unit in counter-clockwisedirection in order to adjust the same into a different position. Inmoving to such latter position different groups of the movable switchcontacts will be actuated so as to change their positions from thosewhich they have occupied previously. This operation is successivelycontinuous so that there is a continuous and successive changing of thepositions of the movable switch contacts.

For the purpose of controlling the movements of the cam unit foractuating the movable switch contacts I have provided a timing cam unitbetween which and the stop projections mounted upon the shaft 26' arelocated a plurality of stops which are adapted to engage the saidprojections and 'adapted' to be controlled by the respective camsof thesaid timing cam unit. As already indicated I have shown my invention asembodied in a construction adapted to provide in each cycle of operationfour timing period operations of the cams on the shaft 26' but aspreviously indicated the constructionmay be adapted to provide five orsix timing periods of the cams for actuating the contacts by theinclusion of additional cams in the timing cam unit. p

The timing cam unit comprises a shaft 99 journaled at one end inv abearing provided in the side 20 and supported at its opposite end in themanner as hereinafter will be described. A plurality of cam discs aresupported upon the shaft '99 in spaced relation "it will: rotatetherewith. The said cam I 00 is located beneath the cam I9 with which isassociated the stop projection 11. p A cam II, which is that nextadjoining the cam I00, is mounted upon a tubular shaft or sleeve I02which is mounted upon and is concentric with the shaft 99 and isrotatable relatively to the latter. The cam llll is secured to the innerend portion of the tubular shaft I02 by means of a binding screw I93 asshown in Fig. 10. The cam I90 is integral with a hub portion lM whichserves as a spacing means between it andthe inner end of the tubularshaft I02. A tubular shaft I05- is mounted upon the tubular shaft I02with its inner end terminating outwardly of the inner end of -0f the hubIll.

the'said shaft I02. A thickened hub-like portion I06 integral with thecam disc IOI serves as a spacing means to position the said cam IOI withrespect to the inner end of the tubular shaft or sleeve I05. The saidcam IOI is located underneath that one of the cams 10 with which isassociated the stop projection 18, the said projection being shown inFigs. '7 and 18. A cam disc I I0 is mounted upon the tubular shaft I05which disc is provided with an enlarged hub-like portion III which issecured to the said tubular shaft I05 by a binding screw H2. The camdisc H0 is located underneath and very nearly in the same plane as thatof the cam I0 with which is associated the cam projection 80. A thirdtubular shaft or sleeve H3 is mounted upon the tubular shaft I05 withits inner end located in adjoining relation to the outerside The outerend of the tubular shaft or sleeve H3 is mounted within a bushing H5supported in an' opening IIG provided in the plate I and projectsa'short distance beyond the said bushing and side. The outer end of thenext inner tubular shaft or sleeve I05 projects beyond the outer end ofthe shaft or sleeve H3. The outer end of' the innermost shaft or sleeveI02 projects beyond theouter end of the intermediate tubular shaft .orsleeve I05. The purpose of these projecting end portions will beadverted to and explained later on herein. An outer sleeve I20 ismounted upon the portion of the shaft .or sleeve II3 inside of the plateI and is secured to the said sleeve by means of a binding screw I2I. Theinner end of the said sleeve I20 is provided with a timing cam I22. Thegear 24 is mounted at the outer end of the said sleeve I20 in adjoiningrelation to the inner side of the plate I. v

' It may be noted that the several discs I00 I 0|, I I0, and- I22 may beadjusted rotatably as well as lengthwise of the several shafts by whichthey are supported merely by loosening the binding screws by which theyare secured to the said shafts.

The shapes of the timing cam discs are best shown in Figs. 4, 5, '7, 8,and 18. It will be observed that each of the discs is provided with ashoulder, the shoulder of the disc I00 being shown at I23, that of thedisc I M being shown at I24, that of the disc IIO being shown at I25,and that of the disc I22 being shown at I26. The timing cam unit, in theoperation of the machine, rotates in a clockwise direction, oppositethat of the rotation of the cam unit for operating the movable switchmembers. The cams of the timing cam unit may be varied in shape to meetthe desires of the designing engineer. The same may be said of the camswhich are mounted upon the shaft 25'. It may be remarked also withrespect to the last named cams that instead of constructing each of themof two members as above described they each may be constructed of asingle member. It is preferred, however, to employ two members becausethen by adjusting such members relatively to each other the shapes ofthe respective cams may be 'varied readily and economically. If each camconsisted of a single element it might be necessary to provide arelatively large number of cams in order that cams of different shapesmight be placed upon the shaft 26. v

Stop arms I30, which are located between the edges of the cams I00, IOI,H0, and I22 and the opposing cams upon the shaft 20', are pivoted attheir outer ends upon a stationary rod I 3i,

in holes provided in the plates I and 20. These stop arms are retainedin spaced relation to each other by spacing sleeves upon the said rodI3I and between adjoining arms, the outermost of said arms beingretained in place by sleeves fastened upon the said rod and seatedagainst the outer sides thereof. These spacing and retaining sleeves arenot shown in the drawings because such sleeves are in common use for thepurpose for which they are employed in this construction. The inner endsof the arms I30 terminate in cross head portions the lower ends of whichare provided with lateral projections I32, I33, I34, and I35'whichrespectively contact with the outer edges of the cam discs I00, IOI, H0,and I22. Such contact is due to the force of gravity acting upon thesaid arms I30.

' The opposite ends of the heads project above the top edges of thearm's I30 and constitute stop projections I36, I31, I38 and I39 whichcooperate respectively with the stop projections 11, I8, 80, and 8|previously referred to.

In the construction as illustrated the stop I36 is in engagement withthe stop projection 11 at which times the two left hand cams upon theshaft 26, having reference to Figs. 10 and 18, are in position to permitthe movable contacts 21 and 28 to contact with the stationary contacts39- and 40'. At such time the remaining switch actuating cams are inposition to hold the movable switch contacts out of contact with thestationary contacts. It will be apparent upon reference to Fig. 18 thatthe switches will remain in that position until the timing cam I00 shallhave rotated sufliciently to locate the shoulder I23 in position torelease the inner end of the stop arm I30 to permit descending orfalling movement thereof to release the stop I36 from the stopprojection 11. Upon such release the switch cam unit will rotateunderthe influence of the coiled spring 95 in a counterclockwise directionuntil the stop projection I8 contacts with the stop I31, at which timethe movable contacts 28 and 29 will be in contact with the stationarycontacts 40 and 4|. Upon continuedrotation of the timing cam unit theshoulder at I24 will permit the descent of the stop I3I to release thestop projection I0 to permit further movement of the cam unit foroperating the switches. The further rotation of the switch cam unit islimited by contact of the contact projection with the stop I38. When thecontact projection 00 is in engagement with the stop I38 the cams whichare associated with the stop projections I9 and 80 are in position topermit the contacts 30 and 3I to contact with the stationary contacts 42and 43. A further rotation of the timing cam unit permits the stop I30to release the stop projection 80 whereupon the switch actuating camunit continues its rotation until the stop projection 8I contacts withthe stop I39. While the stop projection 8I is in contact with the stopI39 the cams which control the contacts 3| and 32 are in position topermit the latter to contact with the stationary contacts 43 and 44.Further rotation of the timing cam unit releases the stop I30 from thestop projection 8| at which time the cycle is completed and a.ropetition of a similar cycle is begun. In other words, the nextfollowing position is that shown in Figs.

' 10 and 18.

If it be assumed that the contact switches 21, 20 and 3| respectivelycontrol circuits including green, amber and red lights for controllingtraflic upon a main highway at a crossing, and that the contacts 26, 30and 32 control circuits including red, green and amber lights upon across street, it will be seen that the said contacts are so controlledas to provide simultaneously a green light for the main street and a redlight for the cross street; that the red light upon the cross streetcontinues for a period after the extinguishment of the green light uponthe main street and during such continuation of the red light an amberlight appears upon the main street; that succeeding this condition greenand red lights ap-- pear simultaneously upon the cross and main streetsrespectively; and that the red light upon the main street continues fora short period after the extinguishment of the green light upon thecross street during which period of continuation of the red light uponthe main street an amber light appears upon the cross street. Thiscompletes a cycle which is immediately followed by another cycle. I

It will be apparent that if relative adjustment of the cams of thetiming cam unit is effected the relative times of release of the stopprojections 11, 18, 60, and BI likewise will be changed. It may be notedthat by adjusting the cam I00 from a position selected as an initial orzero position in clockwise direction the release'of the stop projection11 will be effected at an earlier period in the cycle movement to permitrotation of the cam switch unit. Such movement, as has been describedpreviously, will operate to open the switch 21. However, the adjoiningcam for operating the contact 28 is of such shape that said contact isnot opened, but the cam for operating the contact 29 is of such shapethat the latter is permitted to close. The shoulders I23 and I24 are sorelated to each other that the stop I31 is held in engagement with thestop projection 18 but a short while during which period the contact 29is in contact with the stationary contact 4|. Upon release of the stopI31 the cam switch actuating unit rotates until it is stopped by theengagement of the stop projection 80 with the stop I38, at which timethe contacts 30 and 3| are in closed position as described. Anadjustment of the cam' I I0 in a clockwise direction will permit adescending or falling movement of the stop I38 at an earlier time in thecycle to thereby release the stop projection 80. Such release permitsrotation of the cam unit for actuating the movable switches to causeopening movement of the switch contact 30 and closing movement of theswitch contact 32, the latter remaining closed only for a short perioduntil the cam I22 moves into position to release the stop I39. I

If relative adjustment'of the cams I00 and IM be effected, as it may be,so as to position the shoulders I23 and I24 in the same plane radially,

0f the axis of the timing cam shaft, and if at 28 are closed thecontacts 30 and 3| are opened,

and vice versa[ When so adjusted the contacts 29 and 32 are ineffectivein the controlling of the circuits in which they are included.

For 'the purpose of eflectlhg relative adjustments of the cams of thetiming cam unit I have provided an adjusting and controlling meanscomprising a disc I40 which is mounted on the right hand outer end ofthe tubular shaft or j 5 sleeve m, an arm I4I'which is connected to theouter end of the tubular shaft or sleeve I05, a quadrant I42 which isconnected to the outer Y end of the tubular shaft I02, and an arm I43which is secured to the outer end of the shaft 99.

The disc I40 is provided with slots I45 and I46 which are of arc shape.The arm I, the quadrant I42 and the arm I43 are rotatably adjustablerelatively to the disc I40 and to each other. The arm I is adapted to beadjusted through an angle corresponding to the length of the arc I45 andmay be fastened in any position to which it may be adjusted by means ofa binding post and nut I50.- The quadrant I42 also is adjustable throughan angle corresponding to the length of the slot I46 and is adapted tobe held in any position to which it may-be adjusted by means of abinding nut and bolt'l5I. The arm I43 likewise is rotatably adjustablethrough an angle corresponding to the length of an arc I52 provided inthe quadrant l42, andmay be held in any position to which it may beadjusted by the binding nut and bolt I52.

The front or outer face of the disc I40 is provided with radial linesI53 which divide the same into spaces of the width equal to one percent.of the circumferential portion of the said surface. Likewise the outeredge portion of the outer surface of the quadrant I40 is divided intospaces .each constituting approximately one percent. of the anglebetween the starting or initial The disc I40 is provided on oppositesides of a line corresponding to the radial zero line I56 with a greencolored portion I51 and a red colored portion I58. The quadrant I52 isprovided with like colored portions. I59 and I60. By loosening thebinding nut at I5I and adjusting the quadrant toward and from the greenportion I51, which causes adjustment simultaneously of both the timingdisc cams I00 and IN, an adjustment point I54 thereof and the pointindicated at I55.

of the periods of control of the contacts 21, 28

- bered 5,10, 15, etc., then the pairs of contacts 21 and 28 and 30 and3| will be opened and closed alternately and the periods during whichthey are opened will be equal to those during which they are closed.

If the quadrant be adjusted so as to move the green portion I59 thereontoward or from the green portion I51 upon the quadrant the period duringwhich the couple of contacts 21 and 26 will remain closed will be variedwith a corresponding reverse variation of the period during which thecouple of contacts 30 and 3| will remain opened or closed. If thequadrant is moved in a counter-clockwise direction so as to increase thespace between the green portions I51 and I59 the period during which thecontacts 21 and 28 will remain closed is increased while the periodduring which the couple of contacts 30 and 3! will remain closed will bedecreased. For example, if the quadrant I42 be adjusted so that the lineof division between the colored portions I59 and I60 is in alinementwith'the line of thegdlvirotation while'the contacts 21 and 28 areclosed I point'IGI and the divisional line between the and will rotatethrough only thirty percent. of

its complete cycle of rotation while the contacts 30 and 3| are closed.

If the arm I 'be adjusted from the zero line I56 into alinement with thedivisional percentage line 95, as shown in Fig. 1, with the quadrant I42and the arm I43 in the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 1 of'the drawings, and the mechanism operated to rotate the disc I40forwardly in a clockwise direction, it will be found that upon arrivalof the point I6I upon the arm I43 in alinement with the arrow I63, whi hmay be regarded as the initial or starting po t of the cycle, the timingcam 100 will be released to permit rotation of the switch cam unitthrough a short distance to open the contact 21 and to permit closing ofthe contact 29. The rotation of the switch cam unit upon release of thestop I36 is interrupted by the engagement of the stop I3'I with the stopprojection 18. That happens after but a very short rotation of theswitch cam unit. 'I'heswitch cam unit is held against rotation for ashort period, namely, that during which the disc I40 and the quadrantI42 rotate through the angle measured by the distance between thecolored portions I59 and I60. When these parts have rotated through thatdistance then the stop I3! is disengaged from the stop projection 18whereupon the switch cam unit rotates through a further distance or stepto cause opening of the contacts 28 and 29 and to cause or permitclosing of the contacts 0 and 3i. During the latter period the switchcam unit is held in position by the engagement of the stop I30 with thestop projection 80. These two contacts 30 and 3| remain in closedposition until the arm I again arrives in alinement with the arrow I63at which point the stop I38 is released from the stop projection 80 topermit rotation of the switch cam unit through a short .distance untilthe stop projection 8I engages the stop I39. The switch cam unit is heldagainst rotation by the stop I39 during the period of the movement ofthe disc from v the stop I36 at which point the contacts 21 and I 28 areagain closed. If it be understood that the contacts 29 and 32 controlthe amber or caution lights on the 7 main and the cross streets,respectively, of a crossing it will be apparent that the amber light forthe main street will'remain lighted for a ten and that during thatperiod, that is, during the period that the contact 32 is in closedposition,

the contact 3| also will be in closedposition sothat for that shortperiod of time the red light oi? its length upon the reduced projectingend W ISI'of the bearing for theshaft I2. The other oiopposite end ofthe said plate is provided with upon the main streetwill also belighted.

It will be apparent 'froma study of the specification and the drawingsthat the adjusting means the quadrant I42 it will be seen that means isprovided whereby the person having. charge of the machine may adjust thecams. of the timing 10 cam unit with accuracy and certainty to obtainthe precise andexact result desired. By adjusting the quadrant I42 so asto vary the distance between the dividing line between the green and redcolored portions I59 and I60 and the zero line I56 upon the disc I40 avariation of the periods during which the contacts 21 and 28 are held inclosed and open position may be effected, and by adjusting the arms Iand I43 the periods of opening and closing the contacts 32 and 29 20respectively may be controlled.

If it should be desired to open and close any one of the switch contacts21, 28, etc., twice during a cycle of operation, such opening andclosing may be accomplished by the employment of a double cam as one ofthe cams of the switch cam unit instead of a mm of the shape as shown.Such a double cam is illustrated in Fig. 20 of the drawings and it willbe noted that it is provided with oppositely disposed depressions I64 30and I65. It will be apparent that the presence of these depressions willpermit descending movement of an arm 33 to permit movement of thecontact carried thereby into contact relation with a stationary contact.In the case of a five period 35 operation it may be found desirable tocause the contact 28 to be opened and closed twice during a cycle, inwhich event a double cam such as is shown in Fig. 20 should besubstituted for a cam of the shape illustrated in Fig. 18 for operatingsaid switch, and in the event that it also should. be desired to causethe opening twice not only. of the contact 28 but also of the contact 3|during a cycle a second double cam should be embodied in the switch camunit for causing two operations of the said switch 3I during each cycleof operation of the machine.

In case it should be desired to change the machinefrom a four period toa five or six period controlling means additional timing cams should beplaced upon the shafts 99 and I05 and addi-, tional stop arms I30associated therewith to provide stops for cooperation with the stopprojections I6 and I9 which are associated with the first and fourthcams, reading from the left in Fig. 18,

' of the camunit for actuating the movable switch contact. It will beapparent that by the addition of these two timing cams in associationwith stops intermediate the same and the projections. 16 and I9 the camunit may be held against rotation an increased number of times during acycle of operation.

Reference previously has been made herein to the fact that mechanicalmeans is provided in the construction as illustrated for a speeding up(25 of the operation of the mechanism. The means provided by me for thatpurpose now will be described. To that end the gear I4 is mounted upon astub shaft or projection I66 which is supported upon one end of a plateI6'I which may be 70 described generally as of segmental shape. The saidplate is pivoted at a point near the center .posed between the headthereof and the said plate I61 is a washer I69. By loosening the screwI69 the plate I61 may be turned or rotated about the shaft I2 so as tomove the stub shaft or projection I 66 toward and from the gear I5. Bythus changing or varying the distance ot the stub'shaft I86 from thegear I5 it will be apparent that the gear I5 may be removed and anothergear of different size and having a different number of teethsubstituted therefor. By substituting for the gear I5 a smaller gear thespeed of rotation of the shaft I6 will be increased. on the other hand,if a gear larger than the gear I5 as shown besubstituted for the latterthe speed of rotation of the shaft I6 will be decreased. Obviously avariation of the speed of rotation of the shaft IE will cause avariation in the speed of rotation of the cam units of the structurepreviously referred to herein and described.

As already indicated, the machine embodying my invention has beendesigned primarily for use in the controlling of the green, red andamber lights employed at the crossings of highways and streets forcontrolling the flow of traflic thereon and the same has been describedwith such use in view, but it should be understood that the machine maybe designed for the purpose of use in other relations and in other arts.

Although I have assumed that the device as illustrated is to be used inthe controlling of traffic signal lights yet I have not illustrated thecircuits leading from the said device to the said lights because thearrangements of such circuits are well known and are not novel with me.My invention resides in the mechanism and means for controlling, asabove described, the opening and closing of the switch contacts and forthe regulation and .controlling of periods during which such contactsmay be held either in closed or in opened position.

To increase further the utility and advantage of the device embodying myinvention I have associated with and provided therein means whereby aswitch may be opened and closed continuously in order to cause, forexample,-

the flashing of a light at or in the neighborhood of a crossing or adangerous point of other kind upon a highway, street or the like. Themeans employed by me for that purpose comprises a short bar I10connected at a point intermediate its ends to the outer end of the shaftI2. Contact rollers I1I of insulating material are mounted upon theouter ends of the said bar. Upon rotation of the shaft I2 the barsecured thereto rotates therewith. Such rotation causes revolution ofthe rollers I1I about the axis of the shaft I2 and once during eachrevolution of each roller I1I it contacts. with-the outer projecting endof a spring metal strip I12 rigidly supported at one, end as indicatedat I13. The strip I12 is provided with a contact I14 a shortdistancefrom its outer movable end which is adapted to' contact with a contactI15 supported upon the outer end of a spring metal spring I16 alsosupported at its outer end as indicated at I11. The

atively stiff metal strip 119.

I18 are insulated from each other by' insulating means indicated atIll). The strips I12 and I16 are connected with a circuit portions ofwhich are shown at I8I. This circuit may include a caution light, a redlight or a lighter 5 any other character which may be desired.

The continuous flashing of a light which is associated with thetraflicsignal lights creates a condition affording the highest possibledegreeof protection to trailic at a highway or street 10 crossing.

It will be seen that by my invention 1 have provided a relatively simpleconstruction 'of mawhereby a person desiring to obtain a certain resultmay do so with accuracy and withgreat, facility merely by the adjustmentof a plurality of arms or other adjusting means located upon .themachine so thatthey are readily accessible and available, the said armsor other adjusting means being associated with means which will indicatethe exact distance through which the adjusting means may be moved andthe relation of the movement of one adjusting element to another orother adjusting elements.

It is to be noted that in the construction of the machine embodying theinvention means is provided for effecting rapid make and break, that is,closing and opening, of the electric contacts, thereby reducing arcingand consequent radio interference, and also resulting in increasing thelife of the contact points. 40

Having thus described my invention, what I" claim and desire to securebyLetters Patent is:

1. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, a rotatable cam unit includinga plurality of cams for actuating said switches successively and atintervals, a power storing means for causing rotation of the said camunit, separate means associated with each cam for con trolling therotation of said unit, means for actuating said separate means inunison, and means for adjusting said separate means relatively to eachother to vary the time interval between the actuation of successiveswitches.

2. In electric switch control means, the com- 5 bination of a pluralityof electric switches each comprising a stationary contact and a movablecontact, a plinality of cams for actuating the movable contacts, eachcam including a plurality of parts adjustable relatively to each otherto ing rotation of said supporting means, and means for controlling therotation of said supporting means to thereby control the rotativemovement of the said cams.

3. In electric switch control means, the com bination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, a plurality of separate camsfor actuating said switches, rotatable means for supporting 'said cams,power storing means acting upon the said rotatable supporting meansforcausing rotation thereof, separate-means asso- 7 l switches, aplurality of separate means for actuating said switches, a rotatablesupport for said means, means for the storage of power having connectionwith the said rotatable support and tending to cause rotation thereof, aplurality of stop devices carried by said support and independentlyassociated with said separate means, stop means for enga in andreleasing successively each of the said stop devices for permittingrotation of the said support at intervals to cause rotation of the saidswitch actuating means for actuating the said switches, separatecontinuously rotating means for actuating said stop means in succession,and means for adjusting said separate continuously rotating meansrelatively to each other to vary the time interval between the actuationof successive switches. I

5. In electric switch control means, the. combination of a plurality ofindependently movable switch contacts, a plurality of separate means foractuating said contacts successively and at intervals, a rotatablesupport for supporting the said switch contact actuating means,

' a coiled spring having connection at one end with said support,rotatable means having connection with the opposite end of said springfor winding the same up and storing power therein,

a plurality of stops mounted upon the said support and independentlyassociated with said separate means, stop means for successivelyreleasing and engaging each of the said stops for permitting the saidspring to cause rotation of the said support at intervals to actuate thesaid switch contacts successively and at intervals, separatecontinuously rotating means for actuating said stop means in succession,and means for adjusting said separate continuously rotating meansrelatively to each other to vary the time interval between the'actuation of successive switches.

6. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofmovable switch con-- tacts, a plurality of cams for actuating saidcontacts, each of said cams including a plurality of partsrotatablyadjustable with respect to each other to change the shapes ofthe said cams, a

support for the said cams, stop projections mounted upon the saidsupport in adjoining relation to the respective cams, stops movable intoand out of position to engageand disengage the said stop projections,and means for actuating said stops to eflect movement thereof into andout of positions to engage and disengage the said stopiprojections.

bination of a plurality of: independently actuated electric switcheaiaswitch cam unit including a cam associated with each of said switchesfor actuating the same, a timing cam unit includlna'a. separate camassociated with each switch cam, means interposed between the saidtiming unit and the said switch cam unit for indeing relativeadjustmentof the timing cams with respect to each other to vary the time interval7 'between the actuation of successiveswitches. 5

8. In electric switch control means, the .combination 01' a plurality ofindependently movable switch contacts, a switch cam unit having aseparate cam therein for actuating each of said contacts, means torotatably supporting said 0 switch cam unit, power storage means tendingto cause rotation of the said switch cam unit, a timing cam unitincluding a plurality of cams each of which is independently associatedwith one of the. switch cams, a stop interposed be-. tween each timingcam and the corresponding switch cam, the said stops being adapted toengage and release parts of the switch 'cam unit to hold the sameagainst rotationand to permit rotation thereof, means for rotating thetiming 2o cams in unison, and means for efiecting relativeadjustment ofthe cams with respect to each other to vary the time interval betweenthe actuation of successive switches.

9. In electric switch control .means, the com- 25 bination of aplurality of independently actuated electric switches, a rotatableswitch cam-unit having separate cams tor actuating each of said switchesto open and close the same, powerstorage means tending to cause rotationof the 30 said rotatable switch cam unit in one direction,

controllable means associated with each of said cams for permittingrotation of said switch cam unit at intervals under the influence ofsaid, power storage means, continuously operating 5 means for actuatingsaid controllable-means in unison, and means for eifecting relativeadjustment of said controllable means with respect to each other to varythe time interval between the actuation of successive switches.

10. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, a cam for actuating each ofsaid switches to open and close the-same, a rotatable support for thesaid cams, a timing cam unit including a separate cam for each switchcam, and a stop interposed between each of the said timing cams andthesaid rotatable sup-. port, the said stops being actuated by'the saidtiming cams and moved thereby into and out of positions to control therotation of the said support.

11. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, a switch cam unlthaving sep-55 arate cams therein for actuating ea'ch'of said switches, means forrotatably supporting said unit, yielding power storage means tending tocause rotation of said unit in one direction, a timing camassociatedwlth each switch cam, and 60 a stop interposed between eachswitch cam andv the corresponding timing cam and movable by x the latterinto and out of position to engage, part of said unit to control therotation thereof.

12. In electric switch control means, the com- 65.

ctric switches, a switch cam unit havin se 17. In electric switchcontrol means, the com- 818 g p arate cams therein for actuating each ofsaid switches to open and close the same, means for rotatably supportingsaid unit, yielding power 70 rality of rotatable cams supported incooperative 7 5 relation to the said switch cam unit and having separatetiming cams cooperating with each switch cam, and a movable stopinterposed between each switch cam and the corresponding timing cams andbeing actuated by the latter into and out of position to engage part ofthe said switch cam unit to control the rotation thereof.

13. In an electric switch control means, the combination of a pluralityof electric switches, a switch cam unit'including a plurality of camsfor actuating the said switches to open and close the same, means forrotatably supporting the said switch cam unit, means tending to causerotation of the said switch cam unit in one direction, a timing cam unitincluding a plurality of timing cams, means for manually effectingrelative adjustment of the said timing cams, and stop devices controlledby the said timing cams for controlling the rotation of the said switchcam unit.

14. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, a switch cam unit for actuating said switches to openand close the same, means for rotatably supporting said switch-cam unit,yielding power storage means tending to cause rotation of said switchcam unit in one direction, a timingcam unit including a plurality oftiming cams, said timing cam unit being rotatable, stops interposedbetween the said switch cam unit and the said timing cams and actuatedby the latter to control the rotative movements of the said switch camunit, and means for adjusting the said timing cams into predeterminedpositions to therebycontrol the action of the said stops.

15. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, a switch cam unit including a plurality of cams foractuating said switches to open and close the same, means for rotatablysupporting the said switch cam unit, a timing cam unit including aplurality of timing cams, stops interposed between the said switch camunit and the said timing cams and adapted to engage portions of thesaid'switch cam unit to hold the same against rotation, and means forrelatively adjusting the said timing cams to thereby control the periodsduring which the said stops are in engagement with portions of the saidswitch cam unit for holding it against rotation.

16. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, a switch cam unit including a plurality of cams foractuating the said switches to open and close the same, means forrotatably supporting said switch cam unit, yielding means for causingrotation of said switch cam unit, a timing cam unit including aplurality of timing cams, stops interposed between the said switch camunit and the said timing cams and adapted to be moved by the latter intopositions to engage parts of the said switch cam unit to hold the sameagainst rotation, a plurality of supports for the said timing cams, saidsupports being rotatable relatively to each other in order to efiectrelative rotative adjustment of the sai d tin;i ipg cams to vary theperiods during which the said stops are held in position to engage partsof the said switch cam unit to hold the same against rotation, and meansfor adjusting the said relatively rotatable supports intopredeterminedpositions.

17. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, meant for actuating saidswitches for causing opening and closing movements thereof, a timing camunit including a separate timing cam associated with each switch meansinterposed between each of the said timing cams and the said switchactuating means for controlling the movements of the latter, the saidinterposed means being controlled by the said timing cams, and means foradjusting said timing cams relatively to each other to vary the timeinterval between the actuation of successive switches.

18. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofindependently actuated electric switches, a timing cam unit including aseparate cam associated with each switch, means interposed between thesaid timing cams and the said switches for actuating the said switchesto open and close the same, the said interposed means being controlledby the said timing cams, and means for adjusting said timing camsrel-.a.--

tively to each other to vary the time interval successive switches,means for causing said cams to rotate in unison, and means interposedbetween the said cams and the said switches for actuating the latter tocause opening and closing movements thereof, the said last named meansbeing controlled by the said timing cams.

20. In electricswitch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, a timing cam unit including a plurality of cams, aplurality of concentric shafts for supporting the said timing cams,means for causing relative adjustment of the said shafts for eifectingrelative adjustments of the said timing cams, means for fastening thesaid concentric shafts together,

means for causing the rotation thereof and of the said timing cams, andmeans interposed between the said switches and the said timing cams andcontrolled by the latter for actuating the said switches to open andclose the same.

21. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofmovable switch contacts, a timing cam unit including a plurality ofcams, a plurality of concentric shafts for supporting said timing cams,a disc connected to the said shafts, a plurality of arms connectedrespectively to different shafts, means for adjustably connecting saidarms to the said disc, relative adjustments of said arms causingrelative adjustments of the said timing cams, visual means forindicating the extent of adjustment of the said timing cams, and meansinterposed between the said movable switch contacts and the said timingcams and controlled H by the latter for actuating the said movableswitch arms connected to certain of the said shafts and .havingadjustable connection with the said disc, visual means for indicatingthe extent of adjustment of the said arms relatively to the said disc,

, .the adjustment of said arms causing adjustment of the said shafts tothereby adjust the said timing cams, means for causing rotation of thesaid concentric shafts, and means interposed between the said movableswitch contacts and the .said timing cams and controlled by the latterfor actuating the said switch contacts to open and close the same.

23. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, a timing cam unit including a plurality of timingcams and a plurality of concentric shafts for supporting said cams,vsaid shafts being relatively rotatably adjustable, means for causingrelative adjustment of the said concentric shafts and of the timing camscarried thereby, means for fastening the said concentric shaftstogether, means for causing rotation simultaneously of all of the saidshafts, and means interposed between the said switches and the saidtiming cams for actuating the said switches to open and close the same,the said means being controlled by the saidtiming cams.

24. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofswitches, a switch cam unit for actuating the said switches, means forrotatably supporting said switch cam unit, a timing cam unit including aplurality of timing cams, a plurality of concentric shafts forsupporting said timing cams, means for causingrelative rotativeadjustment of the said shafts to cause corresponding adjustment of thesaid timing cams, means for securing the said concentric shafts togetherto cause simultaneous rotation thereof, a gear mounted upon one of saidshafts, means for applying power to the said gear to drive the same,means interposed between the said gear and the said switch cam unit forapplying power to the latter to causerotation thereof, and meansinterposed between the said switch cam unit and the said timing cams forcontrolling the rotation of thesaid switch cam unit, the said interposedmeans being controlled by the said timing cams.

25. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofpairs of electrical contacts for controlling a plurality of electriccircuits, each pair of contacts including a movable contact, means foractuating the said movable contacts at predetermined times and inpredetermined sequence, said means including an intermittently rotatablemember for actuating the said movable contacts, a continuously rotatingmember in operative relation to the said intermittently rotatablemember, and means intermediate the said two members and controlled bythe said continuously rotating member and thereby caused to control theintermittent movements of the said intermittently rotatable member.

26. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches, intermittentlyv movable means for actuating saidswitches to open and close the same, continuous- 1y rotating. means.connections between the said spears? continuously rotating means and theswitch actuating means for causing actuation of the latter, meansinterposed between the said continuously rotating means and the saidswitch actuating means for controlling the movements of the latter,power means, and connections between said power means and the saidcontinuously rotating means for causing continuous rotation of thelatter, the said connections including means whereby change in the speedof rotation of the said continuously rotating means may be effected.

27. In electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofswitches each including a movable contact member, actuating means forcausing opening and closing movements of the said movable contactmembers in timed relation to each other, power means, gear connectionsinterposed between the said power means and the said switch actuatingmeans for actuating the latter, the said gear connections including asupport for one of the gears of the said connection which is revolubleabout an axisfor varying its position with respect to another gear ofthe said connection to thereby permit the replacement of the gear of onedimension by a gear of a diiferent dimension to thereby change the speedof opera--' tion of the said switch actuating means.

28. In. electric switch control means, the combination of a plurality ofelectric switches each including a movable switch member, yielding meanstending to hold the said movable switch members in closed position,intermittently rotatable means for actuating said movable switchmembers, the said intermittently rotatable means including means foractuating the said movable switch members in timed relation to eachother, a continuously rotatable member, means for causing continuousrotation of said member, and means interposed between the saidcontinuously rotatable member and controlled thereby and the 40 saidintermittently rotatable member for controlling the periods of rotationof the said intermittently rotatable member.

29. In an electric switch control means, the

combination of a plurality of switches each in- 45 eluding a movableswitch contact, an intermittently rotatable switch cam unit foractuating the said movable switch contacts for opening and closing thesaid switches, the said intermittently rotatable switch cam unitincluding means for the rotation of the said intermittently rotatable 0unit. 6

ANTON DIEBOLD.

